Forest Houses

Four new homes have been configured around a series of lightwells and gardens at this former builder’s yard. Enclosed by brick gardens walls at ground level, our design positions all the living spaces at first floor, giving all the houses expansive views over the Wanstead Flats.

Approach

View from Wanstead Flats

View towards Wanstead Flats

The project comprises three new-build residential units; two three-bedroom family houses, and a smaller two-bedroom house, all of which enjoy communal landscaped areas and private garden terraces. The plans also include the remodelling and extension of the former shop that straddles the entrance to the site.

The spatial arrangement of the new accommodation responds to its proximity to neighbouring properties. The new units are positioned in the furthermost corner of the site while, at the same time, ensuring the maximum benefit by angling the terraces to create oblique views across the site directly to the Flats, while avoiding any potential overlooking.

Proposal in context

Ground floor sleeping spaces

Our fundamental design move was to position the kitchen and living spaces on the first floor, to derive maximum benefit of the views to the Flats from the spaces which are the most highly used and enjoyed by all members of the family. Bedrooms are located on the ground floor, with private terraces and lightwells drawing sunlight deep within the plan.

Previous structure on site

Boundary walls rebuilt in brick

Remodelling and extension of existing terrace

Unit 1 - ground floor sleeping spaces

Unit 2 - ground floor sleeping spaces

Unit 3 - ground floor sleeping spaces

Open plan living spaces above

Carving courtyards away

Tilting the roof planes

Profiled cladding to first floor walls and roofs

Roof meadow to first floor

Final design

“Something special was needed here. A site that had been in our family for such a long time meant we needed not just, flair, vision and great design, we needed a celebration. Dallas–Pierce–Quintero gave us all of that and more, and in doing so came up with a design and scheme that just flowed into its surroundings.”

Client

Material palette

Brick and profiled metal sheet form the primary external materials and the light-coloured brickwork add texture and softness to the domestic approach, while the metal-clad, sawtooth roof of the first floor volumes reference the historic light-industrial use of the site. Internally, structural elements are left undressed, with exposed blockwork on the ground floor and timber beams to the first floor roof.

Roof studies

We have been commissioned to take this project from conception to completion and have worked closely with the client over recent months to develop the current proposal to its fullest potential. The project is currently at pre-planning stage with a planning application to be submitted in January 2017 and construction anticipated in the summer of 2017.